| Power noise | |
|---|---|
| Stylistic origins | Post-industrial Noise music Japanoise Electro-industrial Hardcore techno Drum'n'bass |
| Cultural origins | Mid-1990s Germany, Belgium and Southend |
| Typical instruments | Drum machine, computer programs, other electronics |
| Mainstream popularity | None |
| Derivative forms | Technoid, Industrial hardcore, Industrial techno, Terrorcore, Noisecore |
| Regional scenes | |
| Europe, United States | |
Power noise (also known as rhythmic noise, noize and occasionally as distorted beat music) is a fusion genre among noise music and various styles of electronic dance music. It should not be confused with "power electronics", which lacks rhythmic elements and is closer to harsh noise.[1] Its origins are predominately European. The fan base for the style tends towards the cybergoth[2] and rivethead subcultures.
Contents |
History
1990s
Power noise takes inspiration from Spanish industrial act Esplendor Geometrico, active since 1980.[3] The Belgian group Dive also anticipated the style in the early '90s.[3][4] The term "power noise" was coined by Raoul Roucka of Noisex in 1997, with the track "United (Power Noise Movement)".[5][6] The genre was exposed to the U.S. industrial scene by the electro-industrial act :wumpscut:, who signed Noisex to the label Mental Ulcer Forges.
The first power noise artists were German. In addition to Noisex and :wumpscut:, these included Asche, Morgenstern, P.A.L, Synapscape, and Feindflug. The Belgians Axiome, Hypnoskull, Imminent, Ah Cama-Sotz, Sonar, and This Morn' Omina, also developed the genre. Black Lung, an Australian, and Orphx, a Canadian, were also active in the style at this time. Japanoise musicians, such as Merzbow,[7] Aube, and Contagious Orgasm,[8] have also made use of prominent rhythms.
2000s
Notable power noise artists who emerged in the 21st century include Iszoloscope, noCore, Antigen Shift, and Prospero (Canada); Mono No Aware; Tarmvred (Sweden); Converter, Terrorfakt, Alter Der Ruine, C/A/T (U.S.), DJ Raze (Southend), and SAM (Germany).
Characteristics
Typically, power noise is instrumental, based upon a distorted kick drum from a drum machine such as a Roland TR-909, uses militaristic 4/4 beats. Sometimes a melodic component is added, but this is usually secondary to the rhythm. Power noise tracks are typically structured and danceable, but are occasionally abstract. This genre is showcased at the annual Maschinenfest festival in Krefeld, Germany, as well as at Infest in Bradford, UK and Kinetik Festival in Montreal, Canada.
Some groups, such as Combichrist[9] and Dulce Liquido, practice power noise along with aggrotech. Others, such as Tarmvred, meld the style with breakcore.[2]
Related styles
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The technoid style is a product of power noise, breakcore, and IDM, and was advocated by the Ant-Zen sublabel Hymen Records. Gridlock, Somatic Responses and Xingu Hill are notable artists in this style.
Hardcore techno artists have shown influence from power noise, normally called noisecore or industrial hardcore. The subgenre spans quite a range of styles, tracks can sound similar to the dark, brooding sound of Doomcore, or can resemble the harsh sonic assault of Terrorcore. The style features a noisey 4 to the floor bass drum sound, tracks are normally DJ friendly. Artists include ophidian and enzyme x.
The term industrial techno refers to hybrid between power noise and hard-techno, but it should be noted that the style rarely falls in the middle, and could be described as either noisey techno or softer highly-rhythmic power noise.
Labels
- Ant-Zen (Germany)
- Hands Productions (Germany)
- Hangars liquides (France)
- Hive Records (United States)
- Hymen Records (Germany)
External links
- alphamanbeast's noise directory - information base with literally hundreds of links to artists and labels of the broader noise music genre, as well as miscellaneous related resources. (Currently more than 1000 links.)
- Power Noise database - database/wiki of rhythmic/power noise artists, labels, dj's, etc; maintained by German Rivera (a.k.a. Verdilak) of the Sistinas Music record label
- Heathen Harvest Webzine - Professionally presented news, reviews and interviews concerning today's power electronics and noise artists from around the world.
References
- ^ Emily Benjamin, "Whitehouse Asceticists Susan Lawly". The Johns Hopkins News-Letter. February 14, 2006. [1] Access date: August 8, 2008.
- ^ a b Mark Teppo, interview with Tarmvred, Ear Pollution. [2] Access date: August 8, 2008.
- ^ a b Hymen Records, Converter, Coma record description. [3]. Access date: August 8, 2008.
- ^ Nancy Kilpatrick, The Goth Bible: A Compendium for the Darkly Inclined, New York: St. Martin's Griffin, 2004, chapter 5, "Music of the Macabre," p. 87.
- ^ Noisex, Over and Out, Discogs, [4]
- ^ Vlad McNeally, review of Noisex, ReGen Magazine, November 29, 2007. [5] Access date: August 8, 2008.
- ^ Ed Howard, Stylus Magazine, September 1, 2003. [6] Access date: August 8, 2008.
- ^ Ant-Zen, Ripple. [7]
- ^ Metropolis Records, Combichrist Bio [8]
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